While at Ole Miss, Patrick Willis was awarded the Butkus Award, the Jack Lambert award, and was named First Team All-American.

Image 1 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

While at Ole Miss, Patrick Willis was awarded the Butkus Award, the Jack Lambert award, and was named First Team All-American.

While at Ole Miss, Patrick Willis was awarded the Butkus Award, the...Jack Lambert award, and was named First Team All-American.

Image 2 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

University of Mississippi / SFC

Willis led the SEC in tackles in both his junior and senior year while earning a degree in criminal justice. After retiring from football he's expressed a desire to go into a career in law enforcement.

Image 2 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Willis led the SEC in tackles in both his junior and senior year while earning a degree in criminal justice. After retiring from football he's expressed a desire to go into a career in law enforcement.

Willis led the SEC in tackles in both his junior and senior year while...earning a degree in criminal justice. After retiring from football...he's expressed a desire to go into a career in law enforcement.

Image 3 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Paul Sakuma / AP

After being forced to deal with the sudden death of his brother in 2006, Willis went on to become the 11th overall pick of the 2007 draft. He's pictured here with the 49ers' other first round pick, Joe Staley.

Image 3 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

After being forced to deal with the sudden death of his brother in 2006, Willis went on to become the 11th overall pick of the 2007 draft. He's pictured here with the 49ers' other first round pick, Joe Staley.

After being forced to deal with the sudden death of his brother in...2006, Willis went on to become the 11th overall pick of the 2007...draft. He's pictured here with the 49ers' other first round pick, Joe...Staley.

Image 4 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Darryl Bush / SFC

Under Mike Nolan, Willis quickly made his way up to the top of the depth chart and proceeded to complete an outstanding first season by being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Image 4 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Under Mike Nolan, Willis quickly made his way up to the top of the depth chart and proceeded to complete an outstanding first season by being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Under Mike Nolan, Willis quickly made his way up to the top of the...depth chart and proceeded to complete an outstanding first season by...being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Image 5 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Lea Suzuki / SFC

Throughout his rookie year, Willis would become the NFL's leading tackler and garner early comparisons to the Ravens' Ray Lewis. He ended his first season with an astounding 174 official tackles, though the 49ers unofficially credited him with over 200

Image 5 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Throughout his rookie year, Willis would become the NFL's leading tackler and garner early comparisons to the Ravens' Ray Lewis. He ended his first season with an astounding 174 official tackles, though the 49ers unofficially credited him with over 200

Throughout his rookie year, Willis would become the NFL's leading...tackler and garner early comparisons to the Ravens' Ray Lewis. He...ended his first season with an astounding 174 official tackles, though...the 49ers unofficially credited him with over 200

Image 6 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

After another Pro Bowl season in 2008, Willis started the 2009 season very strong, recording 14 tackles in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He became the first 49er since Ronnie Lott to make it to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.

Image 6 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

After another Pro Bowl season in 2008, Willis started the 2009 season very strong, recording 14 tackles in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He became the first 49er since Ronnie Lott to make it to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.

After another Pro Bowl season in 2008, Willis started the 2009 season...very strong, recording 14 tackles in the season opener against the...Arizona Cardinals. He became the first 49er since Ronnie Lott to make...it to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.

Image 7 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

After the 2009 season, Willis led the NFL in tackles for the second time in his young career. He was also voted the NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, an award voted on by past NFL linebackers. In the midst of a years-long losing stretch for the 49ers organization, Willis was one of the few bright spots for the future of the team.

Image 7 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

After the 2009 season, Willis led the NFL in tackles for the second time in his young career. He was also voted the NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, an award voted on by past NFL linebackers. In the midst of a years-long losing stretch for the 49ers organization, Willis was one of the few bright spots for the future of the team.

After the 2009 season, Willis led the NFL in tackles for the second...time in his young career. He was also voted the NFL Alumni Linebacker...of the Year, an award voted on by past NFL linebackers. In the midst...of a years-long losing stretch for the 49ers organization, Willis was...one of the few bright spots for the future of the team.

Image 8 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

Pictured here (left) in 2011, Willis is known and respected as a leader on both the practice field and on game days. At the end of the 2010 season Willis signed a five-year contract extension, ensuring San Francisco fans that he will stay a 49er through 2015.

Image 8 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Pictured here (left) in 2011, Willis is known and respected as a leader on both the practice field and on game days. At the end of the 2010 season Willis signed a five-year contract extension, ensuring San Francisco fans that he will stay a 49er through 2015.

Pictured here (left) in 2011, Willis is known and respected as a...leader on both the practice field and on game days. At the end of the...2010 season Willis signed a five-year contract extension, ensuring San...Francisco fans that he will stay a 49er through 2015.

Image 9 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

Throughout his career, Willis has displayed an incredible combination of strength and speed. During the NFL rookie combine he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and benched 22 repititions of 225 lbs. And while some defensive players seem to revel in over-the-top celebrations after making big plays, this photo is about as celebratory as Willis gets.

Image 9 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Throughout his career, Willis has displayed an incredible combination of strength and speed. During the NFL rookie combine he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and benched 22 repititions of 225 lbs. And while some defensive players seem to revel in over-the-top celebrations after making big plays, this photo is about as celebratory as Willis gets.

Throughout his career, Willis has displayed an incredible combination...of strength and speed. During the NFL rookie combine he ran a 4.37...40-yard dash and benched 22 repititions of 225 lbs. And while some...defensive players seem to revel in over-the-top celebrations after...making big plays, this photo is about as celebratory as Willis gets.

Image 10 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Claudine Gossett / For Drew Altizer Photography

Coming from a rough childhood himself, Willis donates a large amount of his money to several different charities. He's seen here (far left) at a charity event in 2010.

Image 10 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Coming from a rough childhood himself, Willis donates a large amount of his money to several different charities. He's seen here (far left) at a charity event in 2010.

Coming from a rough childhood himself, Willis donates a large amount...of his money to several different charities. He's seen here (far left)...at a charity event in 2010.

Image 11 of 11|Patrick Willis: Through the years

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

Through the first few months of the 2011 season, Patrick Willis shows no signs of slowing down. Finally getting a chance to play for a winning team, Willis' numbers so far suggest he's on his way to another Pro Bowl appearance.

Image 11 of 11 - Patrick Willis: Through the years

Through the first few months of the 2011 season, Patrick Willis shows no signs of slowing down. Finally getting a chance to play for a winning team, Willis' numbers so far suggest he's on his way to another Pro Bowl appearance.

Through the first few months of the 2011 season, Patrick Willis shows...no signs of slowing down. Finally getting a chance to play for a...winning team, Willis' numbers so far suggest he's on his way to...another Pro Bowl appearance.